Resilient shoe flap connecting and fastening means



Nov. 13, 1951 2,575,226

RESILIENT SHOE FLAP CONNECTING AND FASTENING MEANS J. W. M HARRY Filed Feb. 2, 1950 John W-: McHarry INVENTOR.

Q 1 BY UM Atlomqs and Patented Nov. 13, 19511 UNITED", STATES o FF ice;

RESILIENT SHOE FLAP CONNECTING AND FASTENING S 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in resilient shoe flap connecting and fastening means, that is, means which is adapted to dispense with the customarily used laces and grommets.

More specifically, the invention pertains to simple and practical means characterized by a plurality of coiled springs and a keeper strip joining corresponding ends of the springs together and adapted to be releasably connected with ordinary type hooks carried by one of the flaps of the shoe upper.

In addition to the above, novelty is predicated on a turn-button which is mounted on the leather tongue of the shoe and which is arranged so that its end portions bridge the edge portions of the flaps and one end portion engages over and latches the keeper strip in its retained position.

Admittedly, other inventors inthis same line of endeavor have recognized the problems attending the use of shoe laces, particularly by persons who are ill and persons handicapped with bad eye sight. Therefore, the use of various mechanical expedients, including coiled springs is not new. Novelty is, however, predicated on unique fastening means which is simple, practical, easy to apply and otherwise capable of fulfilling the ordinary requirements of manufacturers and users.

Other objects and advantages will become readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a so-called high shoe constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view based on Figure 1 showing how the fastening means is closed and safety latched in place; and,

Figure 3 is an exaggerated fragmentary sectional view to bring out the details of construction and their arrangement, the view being taken approximately on the plane of the line 33 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

In the drawings the shoe is denoted by the numeral 6 and is of the high type and includes a toe portion 8 and an upper portion Hi the latter having customary opposed and connectible disconnectible flaps I2 and [4. In the instant case instead of providing the flaps with grommets and hooks or a combination of grommets and hooks to accommodate shoe laces, the grommets are dispensed with and the shoe laces are also not necessary. Therefore, one flap, lets say the flap [4 (see Figure 3), is provided at longitudinally spaced points with hollow rivets of the like It and each rivet has an eye of suitable form provided thereon, the eye being denoted at I8. The other flap i2 is provided with hollow rivets 26 having keeper hooks 22. These keeper hooks are obviously adapted to accommodate an insertable and removable metal or equivalent keeper strip 24. The aforementioned springs, and four are shown, are denoted by the numerals 26. Each spring has an eye 28 in one end which is fastened to the aforementioned eye l8 as shown in Figure 3. At the opposite end there is a similar hook or eye 30 which is attached to the companion apertured portion of the stated keeper strip 24. It follows that a series of coil springs are attached hingedly to one flap and are suitably attached at their opposite ends to a single keeper strip, the keeper strip being adapted to be releasably engaged with the keeper hooks 22 on the flap I2.

Although it is thought to be not altogether essential, the leather tongue 32 may be provided with a turn-button 3%. The turn-button is pivoted intermediate its ends as at 36 on an appropriate adaptor which is provided therefor on the tongue. One end portion 38 may thus be engaged over the co-acting edge of flap M as shown in Figure 2 and the other end portion 4U may be caused to overlie the strip 24. Thus the tongue of the shoe will be held satisfactorily in position and by using the simple turn-button the latter may be employed additionally as a latch to safely latch the keeper strip 24 in the keeper hooks 22.

While the disclosure reveals the invention as applicable to a high shoe it is obvious, of course, that it is equally well adapted for use on low shoes.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufficient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

In a structure of the class described, in combination, a shoe having customary closing flaps and an intervening tongue, a plurality of keeper hooks fixedly mounted on one flap at longitudinally spaced points, a keeper strip releasably 3 4 lodged in said keeper hooks, and a plurality of individual coiled springs bridging the space between UNITED STATES PATENTS the flaps and hingedly attached at correspond- Number Name Date ing ends to the strip and hingedly anchored at 315,319 Naylon Apr. 14 1335 opposite corresponding ends on the other flap, 5 370,783 Hastings Oct. 4 1887 and a turn-button pivotally mounted on said 1,346,019 Haag July 1920 tongue and adapted to bridge the space between 1 489 126 Jansizian Apr 1924 said flaps, one end of said turn-button being reu leasably engageable over said keeper strip to as- FOREIGN PATENTS sist in holding the keeper strip in the coacting 10 Number Country t keeper hooks. 221,406 Germany Apr. 28, 1910 JOHN W. MCI-IARRY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 15 file of this patent: 

